Switzerland's first automated transport line launched

On Friday September 22, 2017, Transports publics fribourgeois Holding (TPF) SA, in collaboration with the Marly Innovation Center (MIC), the Commune of Marly, the Agglomeration of Fribourg and the State of Freiburg, will launch Switzerland's first automated public transport line with regularly scheduled stops to be included in the Swiss general public transport schedule. Travelling on board two shuttles developed and built by the French intelligent mobility specialist NAVYA and managed by the operating system created by Bestmile, MIC visitors will be able to connect to the existing public transport network. Line 100 Epinettes-MIC is due to be incorporated into the route search facility and the Frimobil zone by Sunday December 10, 2017.

TPF has now been officially authorized by the Swiss Federal Roads Office (FEDRO) to launch the first regular-service automated line in Switzerland to be incorporated into the Swiss public transport general timetable. The partners will officially open Line 100 in the presence of representatives of the federal offices and the Road Traffic and Maritime Navigation Office (OCN).

Starting on Monday September 25, 2017, the shuttle service will connect the MIC to the urban public transport network (Line 1 Marly-Portes-de-Fribourg) and regional services (Lines 129, 130, 231, 233, 234 and 245) of the Canton of Fribourg. The new 1.3km-long Line 100 comprises four new official stops, with the service running from Monday to Friday, 6:30 am to 7:00 pm.

The two new vehicles will test the service along the last kilometre in complex zones that are difficult to access for standard vehicles, meeting local passenger needs. Furthermore, in the long term these shuttles will win over new customers, who will turn to public transport in preference to their private vehicles.

The dual operating system is designed both to keep pace with peak-hour demand and provide an on-demand service during off-peak hours. As such, once the timetable changes on Sunday December 10, 2017, the shuttles will continue to run on the same 7-minute schedule as Line 1 Marly-Portes-de-Fribourg from 6:30 am to 8:30 am, 11:30 am to 1:00 pm, and 4:30 pm to 7:00 pm. Outside these times, the shuttles will operate on demand and take turns to recharge.

The automated vehicles have been tested to assess them against the international standards. The aim is also that vehicles of this type will be able to circulate without a driver on board once the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic has been modified accordingly.

Winning over new customers

The two shuttles will operate along the entire route from Monday September 25, 2017. An operator will be present in the vehicle, which can accommodate a maximum of 11 passengers. In the event of a technical issue or unforeseen problem, the operator is able to take over in manual mode. From Monday to Friday between 6:30 am and 7:00 pm, visitors and commuters will enjoy unrestricted access to the automated line.

To accompany the project launch, a permanent exhibition about the study is open to passengers on the MIC campus (Building 104). Admission is free during shuttle operating hours.

A new "Lastmile with TPF" app designed for customers is available to download from the App Store and Google Play. After the introduction of the new timetable, users will be able to locate the position of the automated shuttles in real time and call them for journeys inside the MIC and to connect with the public transport network.

The next step – the new 2018 timetable

The shuttles will be included in the timetable from Sunday December 10, 2017. The route search function will then be available online and the TPF Operations Centre will remotely integrate these automated vehicles into the operating system. Line 100 is also included in Zone 10 of the Frimobil fare community scheme. In the event of a breakdown or unforeseen problem, a replacement service will be operated by TPF, starting only on the date the new timetable comes into force.

Marly, September 22, 2017

Transports publics fribourgeois Holding (TPF) SA is a group of 4 public transport, railway infrastructure and real estate companies. The group employs nearly 950 people. Its headquarters are based in Fribourg.